As adults, we often long for the carefree days of our youth. Many of us enjoyed connecting with others through intramural sports in college and exploring new activities; others grew up playing team sports from a young age.
But as anyone who has tried to beat rush hour to get to the gym after work or squeeze in a run between kids’ homework and activities knows, finding time for fitness—and connecting with others—in adulthood is challenging.
However, there is a solution where your competitive spirit can roam free once again and you can meet new friends and feel supported in your fitness goals. According to Rick Miller, Assistant Superintendent for Athletic Operations for Plano Parks and Recreation, “Whether you’re nostalgic for the sports you played growing up or you’re just looking for a fun way to stay active, adult sports leagues offer a built-in community.”
“As an adult, especially if you’re single or don’t have kids yet, it’s hard to find friends,” concurs Hannah Rushing, Athletic Superintendent at Plano Parks and Recreation. “One of the challenges adults have is finding others to play with. We offer a free agent list which allows individuals to find other team members; sometimes our recreation supervisor will form a new team from the list. This system naturally creates a sense of camaraderie and the forging of friendships.”
Plano Recreation also offers a “Singles and Mingles” league, which helps younger adults combine the benefits of fitness with the opportunity to meet new people.
Adult sports leagues not only help adults expand their social circles while staying active and healthy, but they are also conducive to professional team building efforts. With nine fields at Heritage Yards and over 200 teams each season, the availability and scheduling of games make it easy for corporations to form teams and hold events for their employees. The city of Plano even runs an employee kickball league, enabling its staff members from different departments to interact outside the workplace.
Plano’s adult leagues are open to both residents and nonresidents. The most popular sports currently include softball, cricket, soccer, volleyball, and kickball, with emerging trends like spike ball on the horizon. While soccer is an evergreen sport that is often immune from the latest trends and fads in sports, the staff at Plano Parks and Recreation are excited to offer something new this year: a grass volleyball league.
Interested? Here are some tips to plan your next visit:
- Games are played weekly Monday – Thursday; weekends are often reserved for high economic impact tournaments or youth sports only.
- Cricket leagues operate on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
- Softball leagues operate Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
- Kickball leagues operate once a week, typically on Wednesday.
- Small sided soccer leagues operate Monday and Thursday.
- Grass Volleyball will be held at Frito Lay Pepsi Youth Championship Ballpark.
- Plano’s competition quality athletic fields include Archgate Park, Cheyenne Park, Enfield Park, Frito-Lay Pepsi Youth Championship Ballpark, Heritage Yards Athletic Fields, High Point Park, Hoblitzelle Park, Horseshoe Park, Jack Carter Park, Russell Creek Park, McCreary Sports Fields, Old Shepard Place, Preston Meadow Park, Carpenter Park, and Schell Park.
- There are also numerous practice fields that are open for drop-in practices year-round.
For more info, contact: https://www.teamsideline.com/plano
“One of the challenges adults have is finding others to play with."